Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF) M.L. 2018 ENRTF Work Plan (Main Document)

Today’s Date: 2/15/2018 Date of Next Status Update Report: February 1, 2019 Date of Work Plan Approval: 06/05/2018 Project Completion Date: June 30, 2023 Does this submission include an amendment request? No

PROJECT TITLE: Restoring Forests in Minnesota State Parks Project Manager: Edward Quinn Organization: Minnesota Dept. of Natural Resources College/Department/Division: Division of Parks and Trails Mailing Address: 500 Lafayette Rd. Box 39 City/State/Zip Code: St. Paul, MN 55155 Telephone Number: 651-259-5594 Email Address: [email protected] Web Address: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/index.html

Location: Carlton, Clearwater, Fillmore, Meeker counties

Total Project Budget: $250,000 Amount Spent: $0 Balance: $250,000

Legal Citation: M.L. 2018, Chp. 214, Art. 4, Sec. 02, Subd. 08e

Appropriation Language: $250,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources to restore at least 255 acres of high-quality forests in state parks such as Itasca, Jay Cooke, and Forestville Mystery Cave State Parks and Greenleaf Lake State Recreation Area. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2023, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.

Page 1 of 10 06/11/2018 Subd. 08e I. PROJECT STATEMENT: This project will restore 255 acres of forested native plant communities on Parks and Trails administered lands. This effort is needed because of past impacts to forests, such as turn of the century logging, clearing for agriculture and an over-abundance of white-tailed deer. These activities will take place in four state parks/state recreation areas: Forestville-Mystery Cave, Greenleaf Lake, Itasca and Jay Cooke. Primary goals for the project include: • Providing additional habitat for nearly 30 species identified in Minnesota’s Wildlife Action Plan as a Species of Greatest Conservation Need1, including 10 MN Endangered, Threatened or Special Concern species. • Helping meet the statutory mandate for MN State Parks to “restore, preserve and perpetuate natural and scenic features…” (86A.05 subd. 2c); • Aiding the MNDNR in meeting the goals and objectives identified in Minnesota’s Wildlife Action Plan (2015- 2025) and the MNDNR Conservation Agenda (2015-2025). Secondarily, by restoring agricultural lands that historically were forested, this project will be consistent with Division and Department direction to reduce the amount of land under agricultural lease or cooperative farming agreements. While the restoration tasks may vary between sites to address specific issues generally each site will undergo three major steps to complete the restoration project: Site preparation –may involve activities such as invasive species control, prescribed burning and disking. Planting – accomplished via direct seeding or planting of seedlings Protection/establishment – this may require exclosures, bud-capping, deer repellants or high mowing.

II. OVERALL PROJECT STATUS UPDATES: See Activity-1 below

III. PROJECT ACTIVITIES AND OUTCOMES:

ACTIVITY 1: Restore 255 acres of forested native plant communities at three (3) State Budget: $250,000 Parks and one (1) State Recreation Area Description: Forested native plant communities will be restored at the following sites: Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park (65 acres), Greenleaf Lake State Recreation Area (10 acres), Itasca State Park (150 acres) and Jay Cooke State Park (30 acres).

Summary Budget Information for Activity 1: ENRTF Budget: $ 250,000 Amount Spent: $ 0 Balance: $ 250,000

Outcome – Forestville State Park – 65 acres Completion Date 1. Site Preparation Phase (ex. archaeological review, prescribed fire, seed collection, Fall 2021 invasive species control, tree harvest or thinning, herbicide application(s), tillage) 2. Seeding and/or Planting Phase Fall 2021 3. Establishment phase - management activities to insure a successful restoration (ex. Fall 2023 mechanical conifer release, bud capping, spray deer deterrents, invasive species mgmt.)

Outcome – Greenleaf Lake State Recreation Area – 20 ac. Completion Date 1. Site Preparation Phase (ex. archaeological review, prescribed fire, seed collection, Fall 2020 invasive species control, tree harvest or thinning, herbicide application(s), tillage) 2. Seeding and/or Planting Phase Fall 2021 3. Establishment phase - management activities to insure a successful restoration (ex. Fall 2022 mechanical conifer release, bud capping, spray deer deterrents, invasive species mgmt.)

2018-06-11 Approved WP.docx 2 Page 2 of 10 06/11/2018 Subd. 08e Outcomes - Itasca State Park – 150 acres Completion Date 1. Site Preparation Phase (ex. archaeological review, prescribed fire, seed collection, Fall 2019 invasive species control, tree harvest or thinning, herbicide application(s), tillage) 2. Deer exclosure(s) construction Spring 2020 3. Seeding and/or Planting Phase Fall 2021 4. Establishment phase - management activities to insure a successful restoration (ex. Summer 2023 mechanical conifer release, bud capping, spray deer deterrents, invasive species mgmt.)

Outcome – Jay Cooke State Park – 30 acres Completion Date 1. Site Preparation Phase (ex. archaeological review, prescribed fire, seed collection, Fall 2019 invasive species control, tree harvest or thinning, herbicide application(s), tillage) 2. Seeding and/or Planting Phase Fall 2019 3. Establishment phase - management activities to insure a successful restoration (ex. Fall 2021 mechanical conifer release, bud capping, spray deer deterrents, invasive species mgmt.)

Activity 1 Status as of February 1, 2019

Activity 1 Status as of July 1, 2019

Activity 1 Status as of February 1, 2020

Activity 1 Status as of July 1, 2020

Activity 1 Status as of February 1, 2021

Activity 1 Status as of July 1, 2021

Activity 1 Status as of February 1, 2022

Activity 1 Status as of July 1, 2022

Activity 1 Status as of February 1, 2023

Final Report Summary June 30, 2023

IV. DISSEMINATION:

Description: Information on the critical steps for each of the four restoration sites will be kept in order to provide necessary documentation for required evaluations and for potential restoration audits. Acres restored using these funds will be incorporated into annual division resource management project reporting. The sites at Jay Cooke and Itasca are readily accessible to visitors. We will be exploring options for communicating information about these restoration efforts to the public via signage, site visits with division naturalist staff.

Status as of February 1, 2019

Status as of July 1, 2019

Status as of February 1, 2020 2018-06-11 Approved WP.docx 3 Page 3 of 10 06/11/2018 Subd. 08e

Status as of July 1, 2020

Status as of February 1, 2021

Status as of July 1, 2021

Status as of February 1, 2022

Status as of July 1, 2022

Status as of February 1, 2023

Final Report Summary (June 30, 2023)

V. PROJECT BUDGET SUMMARY:

A. Preliminary ENRTF Budget Overview: See attached budget spreadsheet

Note: More detail than on budget sheet - Direct and Necessary expenses include Department Support Services (Human Resources, IT Support, Safety, Financial Support, Communications Support, and Planning Support). Department Support Services are described in the agency Service Level Agreement and billed internally to divisions based on rate that have been developed for each area of service. These services are directly related to and necessary for the appropriation. Department leadership services (Commissioner's Office and Regional Directors) are not assessed. Those elements of individual projects that put little or no demand on support services such as large single-source contracts, large land acquisitions, and funds that are passed through to other entities are not assessed Direct and Necessary costs for those activities.

Explanation of Capital Expenditures Greater Than $5,000: N/A

Explanation of Use of Classified Staff: N/A

Total Number of Full-time Equivalents (FTE) Directly Funded with this ENRTF Appropriation:

Enter Total Estimated Personnel Hours: 1,248 Divide by 2,080 = TOTAL FTE: 0.6

Total Number of Full-time Equivalents (FTE) Estimated to Be Funded through Contracts with this ENRTF Appropriation:

Enter Total Estimated Personnel Hours: To be Divide by 2,080 = TOTAL FTE: TBD determined

B. Other Funds: SOURCE OF AND USE OF OTHER FUNDS Amount Amount Status and Timeframe Proposed Spent Other Non-State $ To Be Applied To Project During Project Period: N/A

2018-06-11 Approved WP.docx 4 Page 4 of 10 06/11/2018 Subd. 08e Other State $ To Be Applied To Project During Project Period:

Conservation Corps MN – assistance $ 35,000 0 with site preparation, seed collection, invasive species control & tree establishment activities (Parks & Trails Legacy) DNR resource specialist & supervisor $21,000 $0 time directed at this forest habitat restoration project. Activities include contract administration and oversight, planning and directing staff, purchasing and deploying supplies, and site visits (General Fund, Parks & Trails Legacy) Past and Current ENRTF Appropriation:

$ N/A $ N/A

Other Funding History:

$ N/A $ N/A

VI. PROJECT PARTNERS: A. Partners receiving ENRTF funding Name Title Affiliation Role N/A

B. Partners NOT receiving ENRTF funding Name Title Affiliation Role N/A

VII. LONG-TERM- IMPLEMENTATION AND FUNDING: The Parks and Trails Division has an excellent track record of implementing and managing high quality native plant community restorations. The Division has restored more than 3,500 acres of high-quality forests over the past 10 years. This project will significantly increase the amount of forest habitat the Parks and Trails Division restores annually, while also providing critical habitat to Minnesota’s Species of Greatest Conservation Need. A coarse filter analysis suggests that there are ≥ 25,000 acres of Parks and Trails administered lands that are in need of restoration to appropriate forested native plant communities. These lands are presently old fields, areas of declining aspen, conifer plantations, agricultural land, and similar sites. This project helps accelerate forest restoration efforts by providing funding needed to restore nearly the equivalent of a year’s forest restoration acres and aids in meeting statutory direction to preserve and perpetuate natural features that existed in the area of the park prior to [European] settlement. Lastly, this project will reduce the amount of land encumbered by agricultural lease or cooperative farming agreements on Parks and Trails lands by 50 acres, improving wildlife habitat and potentially improving the quality of nearby surface water.

VIII. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS: • The project is for 5 years, will begin on July 31, 2018, and end on June 30, 2023. • Periodic project status update reports will be submitted February 1st and July 1st of each year. • A final report and associated products will be submitted between June 30 and August 15, 2023.

2018-06-11 Approved WP.docx 5 Page 5 of 10 06/11/2018 Subd. 08e IX. SEE ADDITIONAL WORK PLAN COMPONENTS: A. Budget Spreadsheet - see attached B. Visual Component or Map – see attached map C. Parcel List Spreadsheet - see attached D. Acquisition, Easements, and Restoration Requirements - see below E. Research Addendum – N/A

2018-06-11 Approved WP.docx 6 Page 6 of 10 06/11/2018 Subd. 08e B. Restoring Minnesota’s Forests in State Parks (182-F) – Project Location Map

Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park (Fillmore) – 65 acres Greenleaf Lake State Recreation Area (Meeker) – 10 acres Itasca State Park (Clearwater) – 150 acres Jay Cooke State Park (Carlton) – 30 acres

Itasca SP

Jay Cooke SP

Greenleaf Lake SRA

Forestville/Mystery Cave SP

2018-06-11 Approved WP.docx 7 Page 7 of 10 06/11/2018 Subd. 08e D. Acquisition, Easements, and Restoration Requirements • All of these restoration efforts are in public ownership within state parks or state recreation areas. They are planned and implemented by Division of Parks & Trails resource specialists with extensive experience in and knowledge of MN’s natural communities and restoration practices. These restorations will meet/exceed the guidance for forest restorations contained in BWSR’s Native Vegetation Establishment and Enhancement Guidelines (2017). In addition, MNDNR has several operational orders that provide specific direction to staff conducting restoration projects and for tasks involved in the restoration process. Examples include: Operational Order #124 (Plant Material Standards for Native Plant Community Restoration), Operational Order # 130 (Pollinator Habitat), Operational Order #113 (Preventing the Introduction & Spread of Invasive Species) and Operational Order #59 (Pesticide Use). • Site level plans have been, or are in process of being prepared for each of the four locations. • The Division of Parks and Trails is mandated by statute (MS 86A.05 subd. 2c) to preserve and perpetuate natural features present in state parks prior to [European] settlement as well as other significant natural, scenic, scientific and historic features and to reintroduce species once present that are now missing. It is the responsibility of the divisions’ Resource Management Program to insure that long term maintenance and management needs of these restorations are addressed. The Parks and Trails resource management program has been in place since 1978 and has adequate funding through a variety of sources to meet the needs of these sites. • As noted in the budget, Conservation Corps of MN will assist with site preparation, seed collection, invasive species control and establishment activities. Monies for these efforts will come from Parks and Trails Legacy funding. • Individual project leads at each of the four sites understand that an initial evaluation is required at the end of the appropriation (6/3/2023) and a follow-up evaluation three years later.

2018-06-11 Approved WP.docx 8 Page 8 of 10 06/11/2018 Subd. 08e Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund M.L. 2018 Budget Spreadsheet

Project Title: Restoring Forests in Minnesota State Parks Legal Citation: M.L. 2018, Chp. 214, Art. 4, Sec. 02, Subd. 08e Project Manager: Edward Quinn Organization: MN Dept. of Natural Resources College/Department/Division: Division of Parks & Trails M.L. 2018 ENRTF Appropriation: Project Length and Completion Date: 5 years, June 30, 2023 Date of Report: 12/13/2017

ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES TRUST FUND BUDGET BUDGET ITEM Personnel (Wages and Benefits) Seasonal labor staff equivalent to a total of 0.6 FTE (0.2 FTE - 3 $19,562 $0 $19,562 yrs). 70% salary/30% benefits. Existing staff will assist with site preparation, planting/seeding, and restoration establishment activities.

Professional/Technical/Service Contracts - Overall $138,000 $0 $138,000 Site preparation contracts - these will be selected via state contract or locally for activities such as disking and broadcast herbicide application as well as required archaeological review. (Total estiamted amount - $48,000) Tree planting and seeding service contracts - these will be via state contract or selected locally and plant seedlings or direct seeding. (Total estiamted amount - $39,000) Restoration management services - these will be selected via state contract selected locally. Examples of services provided: bud- capping, application of deer deterrents, mechanical conifer release, high mowing. (Total estiamted amount - $28,000)

Deer exclosure construction contract - this contract is for Itasca and will be selected locally. (Total estiamted amount - $23,000)

Equipment/Tools/Supplies - Overall $84,000 $0 $84,000 Site Preparation Supplies (Total estiamted amount - $5,000) Plants, Seeds, and Planting Supplies (Total estiamted amount - $3,700) Fencing Supplies (Total estiamted amount - $42,000) Other Additional Budget Items: *Direct and necessary expenses: HR $8,438 $0 $8,438 Support (~$891), Safety Support (~$205), Financial Support (~$3156), Communications Support (~$1,271), IT Support ($1845), Planning Support (~$1,072) necessary to accomplish funded project. COLUMN TOTAL $250,000 $0 $250,000

Page 9 of 10 06/11/2018 Subd. 08e Attachment C: Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund M.L. 2018 Acquisition/Restoration Parcel List Spreadsheet Project Title: Restoring Minnesota's Forests in State Parks Legal Citation: Project Manager: Edward Quinn Organization: MN Dept. of Natural Resources College/Department/Division: Division of Parks and Trails M.L. 2018 ENRTF Appropriation: Project Length and Completion Date: 5 years, June 30, 2023 Todays's Date: 12/13/17

Type of Geographic Landowner Coordinates (private (preferably from the Site Significance individual or center of the parcel) (please include what ecosystem (e.g., prairie, Activity Description trust, non‐ Proposed Fee Status of work Format: [Deg.]° Estimated forest, wetland, savanna) is represented as (e.g. fee title acquisition, profit Title or (e.g. engaged in landowner [Min.]’ [Sec.]” Acquisition or Annual well as the ecological significance, site conservation easement # of organization, Easement negotiations, no longer in [Hemis.] Restoration Estimated PILT importance, conservation value, and public acquisition, site Shorelin for‐profit Holder consideration, restoration # Parcel Name Latitude Longitude Cost Liabilities County benefits) preparation, restoration) # of Acres e Miles entity) (if applicable) activities underway) Restoring multiple old field sites to mesic hardwoods. This will increase the amount and 43 37' 92 14' connectivity of forested native plant 1 Forestville/MC 18.87"N 35.20"W $ 43,302 N/A Fillmore communities and associated wildlife. Restoration 65 N/A State of MN N/A Not started

Restoring a former agricultural field to mesic hardwoods. This will increase the amount and 45o 0' 94o 27' connectivity of forested native plant 2 Greenleaf Lake 55.184" N 50.663" W $ 10,000 N/A Meeker communities and associated wildlife. Restoration 10 N/A State of MN N/A Not started Restoring an area to a mixed hardwood/pine native plant community. This area was logged 47°9'14.60 95°16'18.2 prior to park ownership and currently is in 3Itasca 7"N 9"W $ 158,260 N/A Clearwater aspen. Restoration 150 N/A State of MN N/A Not started Restoring an area currently in agricultural lease to a forested native plant community. This will increase the amount and connectivity of 46° 92° forested native plant communities and 4 Jay Cooke 39'3.4" 23'17.2" $ 30,000 N/A Carlton associated wildlife. Restoration 30 N/A State of MN N/A Not started

NOTES: Direct & Necessary costs of $8,438 not included above as these will be addressed at the project level.

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